Iranian-American (هالی دگرس) • @WashInstitute Senior Fellow • 15 years in MENA, Iran raised • TEDx Speaker • Newsletter: https://xitter.cf/t.co/d5DMD1sV55 • فارسی/English

Washington, DC (واشنگتن)
Joined April 2009
My TEDxTalk on Iranian Gen Z finally dropped... 💫 NOTE: Dissident rapper Toomaj Salehi’s death sentence has been overturned, but he still languishes in prison. youtube.com/watch?v=XtUotLlc…
24
57
7
233
338,331
Holly Dagres retweeted
Bessent: “My advice to the Iranian people would be: don't pay your taxes because you're not going to get anything back from the government." "You should start stocking up on heating fuel. There's going to be a big heating fuel shortage. In terms of gasoline, everyone should fill up their tanks now." iranintl.com/en/202610265347
2
3
2
1
2,200
Holly Dagres retweeted
Great rug they’re standing on. Looks like a Kashan.
📸 Türkiye’s Ibrahim Kalin, Saudi Arabia’s Khalid bin Salman, Iran’s Mohsen Rezaei and Pakistan’s Asim Munir at a four-way meeting in Tehran.
6
8
155
8,466
Holly Dagres retweeted
Skeptical of this report, in part because the $1bn figure is implausibly low: the price tag was *higher* in past Saudi-Houthi negotiations, at a time when the group was doing less damage to Saudi infrastructure
Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman visited Iran to negotiate a ceasefire with the Houthis that would reportedly involve Saudi Arabia transferring $1 billion to the Iran-backed group through Tehran, according to Israel Hayom. One source claimed that bin Salman even brought the money with him.
6
9
41
6,637
Iran has opened a judicial case and summoned the organisers following women’s performances at the Tehran Art Fair held in the capital. According to reports, the decision was taken over what was described as a “failure to observe legal and religious standards”.
21
4
35
8,911
👀
من به‌عنوان یک ایرانی‌ـ‌اسرائیلی ، با امید به آینده‌ای آزاد برای ایران و امنیتی پایدار برای اسرائیل، از بنیامین نتانیاهو حمایت می‌کنم و رای من فردا در انتخابات پارلمان اسراییل ، حزب لیکود و نتانیاهو خواهد بود #israel @netanyahu
6
2
7
4,467
Holly Dagres retweeted
خودشون توی کنسرت معین :))
چطوری از ته دلتون می‌خندید حروم زادهای خونشور
20
33
5
1,295
21,997
Holly Dagres retweeted
1/4 Years ago, in #Tehran’s Evin Prison, Mahvash Sabet taught me that even in the darkest places, compassion can survive. Here are excerpts from my recent op-ed published in @Independent about Mahvash, her new memoir, and the lessons she taught me in prison - lessons that are a reminder not to look away as Iranians suffer for their beliefs and pursuit of basic freedoms. #MahvashSabet #Iran #OneworldNews Graphics by Roxana Weaver Full article: lnkd.in/eSRessiJ Mahvash's memoir: lnkd.in/eA4_Cijh @OneworldNews @BallantinesPR @BahaiNews
2
16
32
1,314
This catchy bop is circulating in Iran on messaging apps about military action on the country: “Is he going to strike/do it? So when is the plan finally?…” The amusing part is the video is about getting a shot from the doctor.
1
2
1
7
1,570
Important op-ed by @freedomhouse on how to help Iranians and others "living behind digital iron curtains" by supporting direct-to-cell (D2C), funding the deployment of existing satellite internet capabilities, and safe distribution channels for kits. washingtonpost.com/opinions/…
2
1
7
1,244
Holly Dagres retweeted
Replying to @freedomhouse
@freedomhouse's latest #FreedomOnTheNet report is out! The findings are a reminder of why protecting free expression, privacy, and access to information online matters. Read the report: tinyurl.com/4n7vrkkr
2
2
647
No wonder Bibi wants to start military action on Iran again before October 27—he's fighting for his political survival...
1
1
1
6
1,482
HRH Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Minister of Defense, leads the Kingdom’s delegation to the meetings that will be held today in Tehran, capital of Iran, between Makkah Joint Defense Agreement countries and officials from the Islamic Republic of Iran, with participation of Field Marshall Asim Munir, Pakistani Chief of Army Staff and Ibrahim Kalin, Director of the Turkish National Intelligence. Representatives of Makkah Joint Defense Agreement countries will meet with the H.E. President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, and H.E. the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran Mohsen Rezaei. The visit comes as part of the continued efforts by the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement countries for de-escalation between parties involved in the ongoing crisis, and promoting dialogue and diplomatic solutions, in support of the mediation efforts carried out by the State of Qatar and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The visit underscore the pivotal role of Makkah Joint Defense Agreement countries in reinforcing regional security and stability, and working with all countries in the region to achieve that goal.
60
248
56
584
196,853
Holly Dagres retweeted
When Israel went to war against Iran in the past, its generals and spies were behind Netanyahu. He no longer has that level of support: "Israel's intelligence community does not accept that the Iranians have restarted their nuclear programme, nor that there is any imminent threat that currently justifies going to war." economist.com/middle-east-an…
13
144
11
285
25,613
"There is concern on the part of [Chief of Staff] Zamir that Netanyahu and the political leadership might trigger a scenario of miscalculation vis-à-vis Iran, just ahead of the elections."
Israel's Channel 12 Reporting (English translation of their report:) Breaking news in this edition An unprecedented confrontation between the Chief of Staff and the Prime Minister has reached a critical—or perhaps disastrous—turning point over the last 24 hours. At the heart of the matter: the Iranian issue. There is concern on the part of [Chief of Staff] Zamir that Netanyahu and the political leadership might trigger a scenario of miscalculation vis-à-vis Iran, just ahead of the elections. A defense official states that the action in question could lead to a rapid confrontation with Iran at a highly sensitive and dramatic moment, potentially resulting in a miscalculation. Sources familiar with the details indicate that the military leadership fears an attempt to exploit the Iranian issue for political gain—a claim that political figures deny, labeling it an outright lie. Regardless, two sources tell me that the situation has escalated to the point where, during a visit to the Palmachim Airbase today, the atmosphere in the discussion was extremely tense. In recent days, Zamir received a directive from the political leadership but requested an in-depth discussion before taking any action. He also demanded formal, signed legal authorization from the political echelon for the proposed move. A senior defense official remarked: "History will not forget the role Zamir has played here over the last few days." In short: an exceptionally intense confrontation between Zamir and Netanyahu regarding the Iranian issue, occurring just before the elections. It should be noted: all details in this report have been approved by the Military Censor. Yaron Avraham
1
3
1
6
1,417
"Even if he is defeated... Netanyahu could decide to launch one last strike that he may believe his successor would hesitate to execute. Similarly, Trump, who knows how unpopular the war is even among his strongest supporters, may want to show... his authority is undiminished."nytimes.com/2026/10/24/us/po…
4
7
2,577
Holly Dagres retweeted
“Tehran is attempting to ‘punish’ Trump by driving up oil prices ahead of the midterms, hoping to inflict political damage…Commenting on the issue, an unnamed Arab diplomat said, ‘They’re obsessed. They think they can bring down a presidency.’” open.substack.com/pub/iranis…
3
4
11
1,841
Lana matches this era better
Imperial Iran x Lana Del Rey edit
2
597
Holly Dagres retweeted
אני מסקר את פעילותו של נתניהו בנושא איראן מאז חזר לשלטון ב-2009 הנה כמה עובדות חשובות: 1. איראן הגיעה בשנים האלה - במשמרת של נתניהו - קרוב יותר מאי פעם לפצצת אטום 2. במלחמת 12 הימים נתניהו וטראמפ גלגלו לאחור את תכנית הגרעין האיראנית באופן משמעותי 3. במלחמת פברואר 2026 נתניהו ניסה להפיל את המשטר האיראני והזניח כמעט לחלוטין את נושא הגרעין 4. חיסול מנהיג איראן חאמינאי בהוראת נתניהו הביא למינוי בנו שמתנער מכל העכבות שהיו לאביו לגבי ייצור פצצת אטום 5. מאז המלחמה האחרונה - במשמרת של נתניהו - איראן צועדת לכיוון שינוי בו היא תשאף ותפעל להשגת לנשק גרעיני באופן מוצהר 6. באיראן יש עדיין 450 קילוגרם של אורניום מועשר לרמה של 60 אחוז שלא טופלו כלל על ידי נתניהו וטראמפ במלחמה האחרונה
תקראו את הדברים החשובים של יובל בלומברג: מדינת ישראל נמצאת בסכנה קיומית אמיתית ומוחשית. אם האיראנים ישיגו גרעין, שום דבר כבר לא ישנה יותר. הכל כל כך טפל אל מול הסכנה הקיומית של איראן והציר השיעי. הסערות המבוימות והמומצאות חדשות לבקרים נועדו להסיט את תשומת הלב מהדבר האחד שהוא החשוב ביותר: סיום העבודה באיראן. זה נוגע בקיום הפיזי של כל אדם ואדם כאן. יש לנו עוד שנתיים של טראמפ לסיים את העבודה באיראן, ואין לדעת מה יהיה לאחר מכן, אם זו תהיה קמאלה האריס, או תואם מאמדני כלשהו. זה חלון הזמן שנותר לנו כדי להשלים את העבודה הנדרשת כדי להבטיח את הקיום הפיזי שלנו לשנים הבאות. כל משאבי המדינה הנדרשים, צריכים להיות מושקעים במשימה הזו. קטאר, חרדים, אוריך, גיוס, התראות. הכל מסך עשן ענקי כדי להסתיר את הנושא היחיד שניצב מעל כולם בפער. אם יפלו במרכז הארץ שתי פצצות אטום, את מי יעניינו כל סערות הסרק האלה? הדורות הבאים לא יסלחו לנו אם נפספס את חלון ההזדמנויות ההיסטורי שמאפשר לנו לנסות ולהשלים את המשימה הקריטית ביותר שעומדת בפני הדור שלנו. זה לא יקרה עם ראש ממשלה שמוחזק בצווארו על ידי האחים המוסלמים וסייעני הטרור. זה לא יקרה עם ראש ממשלה שלא מסוגל להרים את הטלפון ולנהל שיחה אינטימית רציפה עם טראמפ. זה לא יקרה עם ראש ממשלה שלא מסוגל לעמוד בלחץ של ראיון טלויזיה. השינאה לנתניהו, ככל שהיא עולם ומלואו עבור מחנה שלם, לא תעזור מול הגרעין האיראני. כל אחד שדואג לקיום הפיזי שלו, של משפחתו, ושל אהוביו, ידו צריכה לרעוד לפני שהוא בוחר במישהו שלא יהיה מסוגל להשלים את המשימה, ובכך לדון את עצמו ואת משפחתו לסכנה של שואה שניה, בגלל השינאה הפוליטית שלו או בגלל סערת דמה מטופשת וחסרת חשיבות.
Readers added context they thought people might want to know
נתניהו אמר בקולו שאיראן כבר לא איום קיומי ושהנצחון עליה יעמוד לדורות x.com/IsraeliPM/stat… x.com/IsraeliPM_heb/…
275
522
47
3,404
462,768
This is a wild piece of disinfo given all the video and first hand witness accounts we have of Islamic Republic controlled forces gunning protesters down…
🇺🇸 🇮🇷 Up to 40% of the Iranians killed in the crackdown may have died at the hands of foreign agents, using the same playbook the CIA ran in Iran in 1953. Death toll estimates have swung from 75,000 to 42,000, and Larry Wilkerson puts the real number closer to 10,000 to 12,000, pointing to Mossadegh’s overthrow and Chile under Allende as proof of how these operations work: “At least 40% of the people who were killed were killed by our agents in Iran trying to do the same thing.” If any of that holds up, the case for regime change gets a lot harder to sell.
11
15
1
94
5,410